Did you install it yourself? a very common problem (and i'll admit to doing it myself) is putting the HSF on the wrong way round. This will give high temps as the pressure from the clip isnt on the die.

Well, I didn't install the processor myself, but one time I had a fan that was performing really badly, so I got a new heat Sink and Fanand put that on myself.

I didn't realise the fan could be put on the wrong way round, or is the Heat Sink that can be placed the wrong wayround?

Also, one other thing I noticed, from the old heat Sink, the sticky bit on the bottom can had actually a part of it broken and was stuck on the processor, so I just placed the Heat Sink on top of it... could this be a problem?

Yes it is most likely the problem!! Turn of your PC and remove the heatsink. Peel of the protective film to expose the thermal pad, then re-place heatsink and fan. This will bring your temps. right down. j.

I had a this problem with an XP2000 using the same board. I noticed however that the bios was indicating a much lower figure, I downloaded the latest version of Asus Probe and the figure is now in line with the bios. The default temperature before the alarm sounds is usually 77C.

My idle temp is currently 61c but this has risen from 53c since to hot spell of weather.

Sorry mis-read your post! First, remove the heatsink and fan. Clean the top of the CPU of all old paste.. If your new heatsink has a pad on it, then remove the protective film and fit, making sure it's the correct way round. [Usually there is a protruding male edge to the base of the sink that will fit into female part of CPU.

If the heatsink does not have a pad already on the base, then you will need to place some "Thermal paste" on it before re-fitting, not too much, just a nice even layer about the same thickness as a piece of 80g paper. j.

To remove thermal material from the base of a heatsink i use Brasso wadding believe it or not LOL it eats most thermal gunk and pads. Then i give it a good rubbing with some isopropyl alcohol and a lint free cloth. For the processor die i just use isopropyl alcohol and a lint free cloth as i cant see brasso doing it much good.